Chain or the like.



C. A. PRINDLE.

CHAIN OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, 1913.

Patented May 23,1916.

U TE alr:

CHARLES A. IPRINDLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CHAIN on THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatLCHAnLEs A. PRINDLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the, county of Cook and Stateof Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chains or the like,

' of which the following is a description.

' My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as chains, and relates particularly .to chains for transmitting'power 7 dated April 8, 1913. v I

The invention has among its objects the production of an improved chain of the kind described that is simple, convenient, durable, efficient, and satisfactory, thatmay be manufactured at comparatively small cost and used wherever found applicable.

To' this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a plan view, a part being shown in section, of several assembled links. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of'the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of'the locking plate 12. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the socket end of the link before the adjacent link is seated and the plate positioned. 1 Fig. 5 is a sectional view substantially on line 5, 5 of Fig. 4:, the adjacent link seated and plate positioned and secured in' place. Fig. 6 is substantially a. sectional view taken on line 6, 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a similar view, illustrating the removal of the adjacent link. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the socket end of a link, illustrating the modified construction, and Fig.9 is substantially a sectional view on line 9, 9 ofFig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, the links shown are substantially similar to that illustrated in my patent previously mentioned, preferably modified to embody the improvement herein set forth. To'assemble or disassemble the links shown in-the patent mentioned,-it is necessary to move the links so i that one would overlie the other, and then substantially moveit transversely or laterally, so that the links are not easily detached Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Application filed April 21, 1913. Serial No. 762,577.

when in use. In the present application I have illustrated similarly formed links in all the figures, but it may be mentioned that the links may be modified to a considerable extent, as they are substantially locked in position and prevented from becoming detached, even if they were made so that it would be unnecessary for tilting or later-' ally moving the links to attach or detach them.

Each link comprises a shank or bodypart 1, provided with an enlargement 2 at one end, and with a socket or cup-shaped end 3 at the opposite end. The socket end 3 is preferably made substantially spherical, or formed so as to give a symmetrical and attractive appearance, and to avoid sharp corners to catch in or pick up the foreign objects. The socket end is provided with a,

socket or recess 4, and with an opening 5 adjacent to the body or shank of the link, to admit the enlarged end of an adjacent similarly formed link. also preferably slotted from the opening 5 7 toward and past the extremity of the longitudinal axis of the link, for the passage or reception of the body'or shank of the adjacent link when assembled.

The socket end is A plate, clip, or the equivalent 12, is provided for each link to close the opening 5 in the socket when the links are assembled, the same forming substantially a closure.

The same is made of suitable shape and material, and maintained in position in any desired manner. A very convenient method of-attaching the plates or closures is to form the socket ends 3 with flat shoulders 9, 9 (see Fig. 4) and with ears or lugs 10, 10. An opening 11 is preferably provided in the socket at the shank The plate is provided with ends 14:, 14 adapted to rest upon the fiat shoulders 9, 9, and with a tongue 15 adapted to fit into the opening or recess 11. The plate may also be provided with ashort tongue 13 adapted to extend slightly into the slot 6. After the enlarged end of one link has been inserted in the socket of an adjacent link, the plate 12 is'positioned with the tongue 15 in the recess 11, and the ends 14. proximate the ears 10. A slight blow or 7 form a slight spring action or give res1l1-- plate in place. In Fig. 5 the ears. before tapping are indicated in dotted lines. The tongue13 prevents any lateral movement of the plate. It will be noted, as most clearly shown in Fig. 5, that the plate is slightly raised or bent at 16 so as to substantially ency, and also form a symmetrical or pleasing design. 7 In case it is desired to remove any of the links, the plates may easily be detached by inserting a tool, as for example, a

cold chisel, under the lugs 10, and raising the same. A g

V In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a slightly modifiedconstruction is shown,

in which the plate 18 is rounded and prov V vided with tongues 21, or corners, which fit recesses 22 and are maintained in posi-j -.tion,by .the lugs or' ears 23 on the socket:

The. plate is provided with a tongue 20,

which fitsin-the recess 11. Where the platev q 18 is of some thickness, and therefore may not ea'silybe bent or spring.- inte position,

the lugs 23 may be left turned up,rthat.is, the link may be so .constructedand turned i down after the plate is'positioned. Ifjthe plate is made-substantially thin, as indicated by 'the dotted lines 19, so that it is similar to. the other plates previously described, the

slots or grooves 22 may be formed in'the link, and the plates sprung into position, 7

. -5 their resiliency maintaining them in place.

' V Itis, of course, understood that the links I may be of any desired pr'oport ions, and of:

any suitable material, the proportions and material depending upon the use for which.

' the chain is intended. 'The uses for chains constructed as described'arev many, but it "may be stated that they are particularly de sirable for ;use .on agricultural machinery, vehicles, conveyersfhoisting machinery, or

:block' and tackle. As was previously set forth, the links need not be'constructed exactly as set forth in my patent mentioned, as

the plate ateach socket securely locks allthe links together so that they cannot be detached or become accidentally separated, except by the intentional removal of the plates. Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the'same without departing from the spirit of my invention;

hence I do not wish tobe understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction,

arrangement and combination of parts here- III'ShOWIl and descrlbed, or uses mentioned.

.What I claim as, new and desire to-secure 7' I by Letters Patent is r 1. A link, formed at one end with an enlargement,and at the opposite end with a socket having an openingadjacent the body of the link to admit the'enlarged end of an adjacent similarly formed link, and'slotted from the opening toward and past the extremity" of the longitudinal axis of the link "for passageof thebody ofjthe adjacent link,i{

and a detachable plate arranged over said;

opening, "said'plate underlyingaportion of r the link at saidsocket end and pr'ovidediwith a tongue projecting intothe slot "at said end.

2. A link formed with an enlargement at one end, and with a socket at'the opposite end, having an opening 'adjacentj'the body of the link to admitthetenlarged-end of an 75.

adjacent;v similarly for-med link, and slotted from the opening toward and past the ex tremity of the longitudinal axis'offthe link end at said opening, said plate-slightly projecting intosaidslot.wherebylateral move- 'I 7 plate jrelative'tothelink is' prement of the vented.

. for passage ofv thebod'ylof the. adjacent link, 1 f

and a plate detachablysecured to? said socket 3. A}. enlargement one end, and with: a ;socke t.;at theiopposite end, having-anope'ning adjacent.thezb'ody of the link to. admit the e'Ii-largedend ofz'an adjacent similarly Lformedalink, and slotted 7' from-theopening ltowaridjand' past the fex tremity ofthe longitudinalf'axis of theil-ink securing said plate at saidsocket'end opening, comprising overlying lugs on said'l'ink end, said plate provided with tongues-on oppositesides thereof, one tongue project for; passage of thelbody of the adjacentq link, a" suitably formed plate, and meanslforj ing into theslot between said lugs. and the other engaging the link at the side of the;

opening opposite saidlugs;

i 4. A link formed with an. enlargement 'atj one end, andiwithla socketatithe'opp'osite if end havingan opening to admit-the enlarged i i end of: an adjacent similarly formed link,

and. slotted from; 'the j opening toward and past the extremity oflthe longitudinal axis of the link, for passage o'f'the shank ofthe adjacent link, said socketend'provided with a recess and with lugs proximate the openmg, anda suitably formed; plateprovided with a tongue-for engagementgwith the link insaid recess, and formed to underlie said lugs. i

axis of thelink, for passage of the shanklof 1 2c i the adjacentlink, said socket-end provided 1 with a recess and with lugs proximate the plate provided with a tongue for engag'e' ment with the link in saidrecess, and formed to underlie said lugs. I i V opening, and a suitably formed resilient 6. In a chain, .a link formed at; oneend with a socket havingan opening, adjacent the body of the linkto admit the cooperat ing end of anadj acent' link,*and slotted from the opening toward and past the extremity recess and means for securing the plate on 10 of the longitudinal axis of the link for the said shoulders.

passage of the adjacent link, said linkhav- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto ing a shoulder at said opening on each side signed my name in the presence of two subof the slot and a recess at the side of the scribing witnesses.

opening opposite the slot, a plate mounted CHARLES A. PRINDLE. on the link at said end and corresponding in Witnesses:

contour to the exterior of the link about ROY'W. HILL,

said opening, said plate projecting into said CHARLES I. COBB.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, hy addressing the Commissioner of Iatenta, Washington, D. C. 

